Looking for a good read to help transport you into a world outside your own? We can only hope! While travel plans may have been limited this year, books have always been there to allow us to escape into an array of unexplored settings. As the return to classes lurks right around the corner, these reads will help you reminisce the feelings of summer freedom! Here are five novels everyone should make time to read as we get ready to kick off the fall semester.
1. Beach Read by Emily Henry
This new romance release is perfect for transporting its readers into another world! This book tells the stories of Augustus Everett, an established author of literary fiction, and January Andrews, who writes bestselling romance novels. Oddly enough, both of these writers find themselves stuck in a rut as the deadlines for their next books quickly approach.
Rooted in the midst of heartbreak, January packs up her belongings and heads off to Michigan for a fresh start. There she finds herself neighboring next to her college nemesis, Augustus. Deeply rooted rivalry might end up working in their favor; however, they dare one another to write in their opposing genres to get the creative juices flowing again.
So, will their stories stay on the page? Or will they begin to rewrite their own personal history as well?
2. The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu
This brilliant historical fiction novel explores the story of a forgotten composer of musical history – Nannerl Mozart, Wolfgang’s equally gifted older sister. Living as a young woman in 18th century Europe, Nannerl is forbidden from following her passion for musical composure. Her father declares that she will only perform until she becomes of age to be married, while her brother Mozart continuously shines in his musical endeavors.
Despite their father’s tyrannical unfairness, these siblings bond together and dream up a fantasy escape of their own – the Kingdom of Back. This magical world is filled with their musical dreams, particularly Nannerl’s, as a faerie prince promises her all she could ever desire if she completes a set of tasks for him.
In the end, will Nannerl’s love for her brother prove most important? Or will the desire for fame and recognition overpower all else?
3. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This highly anticipated horror novel follows the story of Noemí Taboada as she embarks on a risky journey to save her newly-wed cousin Catalina from mysterious doom. Her cousin claims that her new husband is mistreating her and poisoning her, while the dead from the graves in the backyard whisper to her in the night. Noemí is shocked to visit the mansion and find that there truly is a graveyard behind the house, as well as mold and fungus scaling the interior walls of the mansion.
Will Noemí and Catalina make it out alive? Or will they become victims to the haunts of this mansion and its eerie inhabitants?
4. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
This enlightening novel delves into the elusive concept of the ego and how it can be overcome to awaken a new level of human consciousness. Tolle explains how humanity can acquire more personal happiness through getting rid of the fear-based mindset that is the ego. This concept is the root of anxiety, anger, greed and jealousy as humans often strive to be identified through external factors and material possessions.
This spiritual guide encourages readers to recognize the ways in which they might be limiting themselves and embrace a more open-minded understanding of the human experience.
5. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
This heartbreakingly beautiful coming-of-age novel details the story of Kya Clark, who many town folks refer to as the “Marsh Girl.” Kya lives alone in the marshland, abandoned by her family and rejected by society. She only ever attended one day of school, outsmarting truant officers and hiding deep in the brush after the students made fun of her. So, when the beloved Chase Andrews’ is found dead, the mysterious and lonely Kya becomes an easy target for the town people to pin their suspicions on.
Did Kya murder Chase Andrews? Or will she be subjected to her town’s biases toward people living in the marsh like herself?
With the current state of our world, reading has proved to be a great alternative to traveling. It allows us to indulge in the wonder and amazement of experiencing new cultures and places within the comfort of our homes! Whether you’re looking to delve into a new genre or just trying to take your thoughts away from the current pandemic, this list is sure to have a book for you!
Published by Caitlin Srager